Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA Draft

Cleveland Cavaliers: 2009 NBA Draft

Jason Tomassini — Wed, 06 May 2009 07:46:33 -0700

2009 NBA DRAFT: NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

- We’ll update our Team Capsules with more specific info once the lottery is complete.

Cleveland Cavaliers

2008-09 Record: 66-16

Draft Picks: 30, 46

Key Free Agents:

Zydrunas Ilgauskas (ETO)

Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak

Anderson Varejao (PO)

Lorenzen Wright.

How They Got Here:

By being extremely good at basketball and having a player that is a freak of nature. But seriously, this team took one of the best individual seasons ever and matched it with an incoming all-star (Mo Williams) and surprisingly great seasons from Delonte West and Anderson Varejao to basically save basketball in Cleveland by giving Lebron a potential reason to come back. And that they did it on defense, with some guys not really known for D (Ilgauskas, Szczerbiak, Daniel Gibson), is a testament to Mike Brown and of course, Bron Bron.

What They Need:

If they could possibly draft a top-notch butler or chauffeur for Lebron, someone that makes him really comfortable in Cleveland, I’d go that way. Maybe Eric Devendorf is available. But seriously, the Cavs frontcourt doesn’t look so hot right now, so they need to sure up some depth there. Varejao should be back, but expensive, Joe Smith is likely gone, Ilgauskas should be back but is old and Ben Wallace has the unfortunate situation of being Ben Wallace. JJ Hickson, by all accounts, was a nice pick, but they are going to need an experienced big man that can give them immediate minutes.

Who They'll Take:

This is an atrocious draft for big men, especially centers, and even the top guys, besides Griffin, look very suspect. So they need to just find a guy that can play solid defense and maybe knock down open 15-footers. Taj Gibson, Jeff Pendergraph, Dante Cunningham and Jeff Adrien seem exactly like the kind of guys that could flourish in Brown’s defensive system and overcome their lack of ideal NBA size by playing alongside Lebron. Josh Heytvelt would even be tempting, as long as they don’t ever let him hang out with Lebron.

Cleveland Cavaliers Draft History (since 2000)

2008: JJ Hickson (19)

2007: No Picks

2006: Shannon Brown (25), Daniel Gibson (42), Ejike Ugboaja (55)

2005: No Picks

2004: Luke Jackson (10)

2003: LeBron James (1), Jason Kapono (31)

2002: Dajuan Wagner (6)

2001: DeSagana Diop (8), Brendan Haywood (20), Jeff Trepagnier (36)

2000: Jamal Crawford (8)

2009 NBA DRAFT: NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

Top Prospects

Stephen Curry - PG/SG - Davidson

Tyreke Evans - PG/SG - Memphis

Blake Griffin - PF - Oklahoma

James Harden - SG - Arizona State

Jordan Hill - PF - Arizona

Ty Lawson - PG - UNC

BJ Mullens - C - Ohio State

Ricky Rubio - PG - DKV Joventut

Brandon Jennings - PG - Arizona

Hasheem Thabeet - C - UCONN

NBA: Cavs More Than Just LeBron

Hoopsworld — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:14:21 -0800

By: Bill Ingram

The NBA's Eastern Conference used to be the whipping boys of the league. Beyond the top two or three teams, the Eastern Conference used to be the place Western Conference teams went to get a quick break from playing their grueling Western rivals.

Not any more.

The East was noticeably tougher last season, but offseason moves that brought Elton Brand to the 76ers, Jermaine O'Neal to the Raptors, and now Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons have made the East almost as tough as the West.

Fortunately, the Cavs made a move of their own, bringing in point guard Mo Williams to help carry some of the scoring load.

"I think the pieces are in place here," says head coach Mike Brown. "I really like this team. Once we're where I think we need to be we'll have a good chance. I'm looking forward to it. It's not going to happen right away, but I always take things one game, one practice, one day at a time. If we take that to heart then come playoff time we'll be ready to go."

"We have some very nice pieces," agrees LeBron James. "I think with Mo Williams and the veterans guys in Ben Wallace and Z (Ilgauskas). . . .Daniel (Gibson) has gotten better every year, and Delonte (West) is a very good piece . . and Andy (Varejao). We have some depth, and then you're always going to have a chance as long as I'm in uniform. We're always going to be a team that you have to worry about."

One thing you'll notice as you take in a Cavaliers game this season is that this is no longer the LeBron James show. Sure, LeBron's going to be called upon to make big plays at big times, but much like the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant, the Cavaliers have tried to surround LeBron with enough quality pieces that he won't have to carry the team for 48 minutes every night.

"With a guy of his capability, his role is whatever he wants to make it for the day," says Delonte West, smiling. "If he wants to go and get 50, that's just what he decides to do. The biggest think is just for the guys around him to take advantage of opportunities, play solid basketball, and put him in the best position to close the game out for us."

"That's basically the way this team was built," agrees Daniel Gibson. "You have guys that on any given night can come out and perform well and take some of the pressure off of him so he doesn't have to carry us every night. He'll have his nights where he goes off for those 30's and 40's, but I don't think he feels like he has to do that with the guys we have on this team."

"When you have more options on your team you don't have to score as much," says LeBron. "On this team I don't think I have to worry about going out and scoring 30 and putting up a lot of shots. I've never been a guy to go out and put up a lot of shots, but I don't have to score 30 every night on this team. My ideal stat line is 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists."

"I just think everybody has to be able to play like they're capable of playing," adds Mike Brown. "The two games we lost on the road to a very good Boston team and a very good New Orleans team, I was OK with our defense and I was OK with our offense for the most part. We had some turnovers where guys were cutting and the pass was a little late or a little early or something like that. If we cut our turnovers down, I think we have not just a decent chance to win - I thought we had a decent chance anyway, considering our turnovers - but I think we have a real good chance to win it all. That's a fixable problem. AS we go along, when we get it fixed, we should - knock on wood (knocks on his own head) - we should be a tough team."

Not only do the Cavaliers expect to be a "tough" team, they expect to be a championship team. Yes, even with the Boston Celtics looking to repeat and the improvements made across the Eastern Conference . . . not to mention the improved LA Lakers, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Hornets . . .the Cavaliers believe they have the pieces in place to win a championship this season.

"We're still contenders, without a doubt," agrees Gibson. "We still have LeBron James, and when you have him on your team you're capable of playing with and beating anybody. I think as a team we have the right group, the right pieces to be competitive and win a title."

"There's no question we're a championship team," says West. "It's still early and there are a lot of teams in the East that have improved, and I think there will be a lot of surprise teams this year, but the first step to winning a championship and that's what we're doing here. We're not looking any further than tonight's game. We have to take it - really - one day at a time."

"We're still trying to make some adjustments, having a new point guard and having a new offensive system," admits LeBron. "Our defense has been great. That's one thing we're not worries about. Offensively we just have to try to limit the unforced turnovers and execute what we need to do on the offensive end. It's early, but we're going to get it together."

There's no question they'll get it together, The only question is, once they get it together are the best team in the NBA? Fortunately, the Cavaliers have about six months and around 80 games to go before they have to start seriously answering that question. For now, it's enough for them to know that they're looking more and more like a team with each passing game.

NBA: Lebron Isn't Going Anywhere..

Hoopsworld — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:19:26 -0700

By: Steve Kyler

Keeping LeBron: Cavalier's owner Dan Gilbert expressed his frustrations with the national media for their rampant commentary regarding LeBron James pending free agency in 2010, saying he felt it was an insult to Cleveland. There is no questioning that the summer of 2010 will be an interesting time, as it will be one of the largest "Big Name" free agent classes in recent NBA history.

The reality is while everyone assumes that New York, New Jersey and Miami will all be big attractive players in the marketplace, the odds that any of the major names changes teams is remote. Most of the teams jockeying for cap space are teams that are rebuilding, teams that are hoping to re-shape their future after years and years of bad salaries.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have absolutely the best financial package for Lebron James, he has a history with the team and the team is committed to building a winner. Sure LeBron has done everything but blow kisses at New York, wait he did that too… The odds that LeBron leaves money on the table are slim.

There is hope that LeBron will be willing to do that, giving New York or New Jersey a shot at forcing a sign and trade, but in the NBA players do not leave money on the table and we no longer live in a world where market share matters. LeBron James is a global mega star from Cleveland; landing in New York does not make LeBron a bigger name. LeBron becomes a bigger name by winning, and that my friends is what will sway LeBron the most – where can he win and win big.

Dan Gilbert has a valid point, it's insulting to a market to believe they are somehow inadequate to support a star, LeBron has done OK for himself in Cleveland, and that's not going to change unless the Cavs head to the lottery. And for the record, Europe is not going to steal a mega star like LeBron, Kobe or Dwayne Wade. That's a huge step backwards for this level of talent.

The smart money says Dwayne Wade re-signs in Miami, Chris Bosh re-ups with Toronto, and LeBron James remains a cavalier until the wheels fall off. Why? Because those teams can pay them $20 million more than anyone else can.

Mike Green to Join Cavaliers Summer League Team

Press Release — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:57:42 -0700

Mike Green, who helped lead Butler to the best two-year men's basketball record in school history, has earned a roster spot on the Cleveland Cavaliers' summer league team. He will compete with the Cavaliers at the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 11-20, with hopes of landing an NBA roster spot in the fall.

Green, who led the 30-4 Bulldogs in scoring, rebounding and assists last season, is one of 13 players selected for the Cavaliers' summer roster. The summer team also includes Cleveland's 2008 draft picks, J. J. Hickson (19th overall) of North Carolina State and Darnell Jackson (52nd overall) of Kansas, plus former UW-Milwaukee player, Clay Tucker.

Green helped lead Butler to a two-year record of 59-11 and two straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007. This past season, the Bulldogs captured Horizon League regular season and tournament championships, won the Great Alaska Shootout, captured a second consecutive Wooden Tradition championship and posted a first-round NCAA Tournament win over South Alabama. Butler was ranked in the "Top 25" for a school-record 19 consecutive weeks, including a school-record five weeks in the "Top 10."

The lone Butler player to start every game over the past two seasons, Green averaged 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists as a senior. He was named the Horizon League Player of the Year in 2007-08 and was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player at the 2008 Horizon League Championship. He also was named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2007 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout. A first team Mid-Major All-American, Green received both the Chip Hilton Award and the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award at the 2008 NCAA Final Four.

Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA Draft Team Needs

Raphielle Johnson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:10:15 -0700

2007-08 Record: 45-37; 2^nd Central

Draft Picks: 19

Key Free Agents

G Daniel Gibson (restricted)

G Delonte West (restricted)

How they got here and what they need

Once again LeBron James put the Cavaliers on his back, and once again the lack of a supporting cast let him down, this time falling to the eventual NBA champions in the second round. While it was a hard-fought series that went the distance, the fact that they were in so many of the games with LeBron struggling but couldn't steal that one win underlines the need for more help. With Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Ben Wallace and Anderson Varejao the frontcourt is pretty set in terms of bodies.

But two of the key guards in the backcourt rotation (Gibson and West) are free agents this summer, and even if West were to return the Cavs seriously need a point guard. As much as we all love the joking nature of Damon Jones, he just isn't going to cut it coming off the bench in that role if Cleveland wants to win a title in the near future. If Gibson were to leave then a shooter would also be needed, but the lead guard is of utmost importance at pick nineteen.

Who they take

But there is a problem with that strategy: the point guard position is the weakest in this draft class, with no suitable options slated to be on the board at this point. So I'd look for GM Danny Ferry to shop this trade, possibly along with a veteran or two, in hopes of picking up a guard. But if not, the Cavs may have to go with Ohio State's Kosta Koufos, even though they don't need another big man.

Draft History (since 2000)

2007: No Picks

2006: Shannon Brown (25), Daniel Gibson (42), Ejike Ugboaja (55)

2005: No Picks

2004: Luke Jackson (10)

2003: LeBron James (1), Jason Kapono (31)

2002: Dajuan Wagner (6)

2001: DeSagana Diop (8), Brendan Haywood (20), Jeff Trepagnier (36)

2000: Jamal Crawford (8)

NBA Draft: Answer Man #3

Adam Stanco — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:44:00 -0700

Adam Stanco answers your questions.. and the one’s you should be asking. If you have a question, send it to BasketballWriter@cs.com

Any chance that Acie Law or Javaris Crittenton drop to the Lakers at 19? And if not, do you think it’s worth trading up or will Jordan Farmar become a reliable NBA starter?

(Submitted by: Azzie Mackenzie of Sherman Oaks, CA)

Since Law is more NBA-ready right now, he could play sooner on most of the lottery teams. However, Crittenton probably has a higher ceiling, meaning deeper teams are more into the former Georgia Tech star. After all, they can be patient with his development. Unfortunately, both will probably be gone by the time that the Lakers select.

As for your second question, Farmar could certainly be a “reliable NBA starter,” but a disgruntled Kobe Bryant probably wants his teammates to be a little more than “reliable.” Those who have followed my pieces all year know that I expect huge things from Crittenton. Just imagine if Rod Strickland was bigger and had a more consistent jump shot… that is who Crittenton could be.

The Lakers should trade up, but who would they trade with?

If the Hawks select Brandan Wright or Al Horford with their first pick, they might be looking at Crittenton at No. 11. The Sixers have their point guard in Andre Miller, yet since they have other two picks later in the 1st round, it’s unlikely that Philly would be interested in moving out of the lottery.

The Clippers will undoubtedly snatch Crittenton if he’s still available at No. 14, meaning the Lakers best bet would be to obtain the Hornets’ draft pick (No. 13). New Orleans has no need for a point guard and would probably swap with L.A. for a relatively low price.

The Pistons are old, the Bulls are young and the Cavs, well, we see LeBron needs help. Assuming Oden goes to Portland and Durant to Seattle, what do you foresee as the future for an already depleted Eastern Conference? What draftee could have a realistic chance to make an immediate impact in the East?

(Submitted by: L.S. of Storrs, CT)

Obviously a lot depends on who goes where, but there are two teams who could really make a jump up the standings depending on their draft pick.

Milwaukee is awfully close to being a contender in the East. Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, and Michael Redd are a solid core, but all three struggled with injury issues last season.

The Bucks – who have the No. 6 pick – are apparently in love with Al Horford, but assuming he’s gone by the time they select, they’ll probably have a chance to nab Brandan Wright, Yi Jianlian, or Corey Brewer.

Wright should make an impact in the league, but it won’t be for a few years. Jianlin could be solid in year one and Brewer would instantly stand out in the East. But if Horford somehow slips to the Bucks, he could contend for Rookie of the Year honors.

However, the greatest impact rookie of all might just be Acie Law. If the Hawks decide to go with a big man with their first pick and choose Law at No. 11, the polished lead guard would team with Joe Johnson and have Atlanta on the right track much quicker than you’d expect.

Adam Stanco answers your questions.. and the one’s you should be asking. If you have a question, send it to BasketballWriter@cs.com